Joey Chestnut is quickly becoming an American legend as he vies for a record fifth consecutive championship in the premier competitive eating event in the world, the 2011 Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, held every July 4th at Coney Island, New York. Online super-sportsbook Bodog.eu is already ahead of the game as they've posted betting odds for the event. And guess who's the favorite? Who else but Joey Chestnut coming off at -450 odds against the field getting +275. Currently Chestnut is the only eater lined at BODOG.
Also listed is a total winning margin of 9 1/2 hot dogs (over/under) that Chestnut defeats the competition by. BODOG has posted 60 1/2 as the total number (over/under) of Nathan's hot dogs Chestnut devours in the event.
Chestnut, a 27 year old and student at San Jose State University, began his competitive eating career in 2005 by winning a deep-fried asparagus eating championship in which he ate 6.3 ounds of asparagus in 11 1/2 minutes. That same year, Chestnut made his debut in Nathans Hot Dog contest finishing third behind his future rival Takeru Kobayashi of Japan.
In 2006 Chestnut entered the Nathan's contest for the second time but was better prepared for the competition this time. However, victory was not at hand as his nemesis Kobayashi ate 53 3/4 hotdogs with buns, a world record at the time to Chestnuts 52.
Everthing fell into place for Chestnut in 2007 Nathan's event defeated Kobayashi 66-63, the former champions first loss in six years. Since the 2007 contest, Chestnut has won four straight and will be looking for that fifth consecutive win on Monday July 4th 2011.
